Posts in "AwesomeSauce"

December 16, 2014

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., will once again open up the halls of Congress to the District’s disadvantaged youth on Wednesday, injecting some cheer into the holiday season by hosting her annual Capitol Hill Holiday Party.

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The festive gathering, scheduled to take place in 345 Cannon from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., is being put on in conjunction with the UPO Inspire Foundation, a charitable organization that works to empower local families. According to Team Norton, this year’s gathering will feature gifts for the attending children as well as a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

December 15, 2014

He’s seen plenty of people — including his fair share of celebrities — come and go during his decade-plus tenure on Capitol Hill. But House Republican aide James Brandell wouldn’t trade his time in Congress for anything.

Brandell has served as chief of staff to retiring Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., since 2001, an experience he’s relished every step of the way.

Dave Camp (center), R-Mich., and Camp chief of staff Jim Brandell (right) in commemorating the new research grant Brandell created in Camp's honor to distribute all the money raised for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (Courtesy Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)" src="http://hoh.rollcall.com/wp-content/uploads/PRDCJBlls.jpg" width="445" height="488" /> Rep. Paul Ryan (left), R-Wis., joins retiring Camp (center) and Brandell in commemorating the new research grant Brandell created in Camp’s honor to distribute all the money raised for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. (Courtesy Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)

Dressing up for the holidays might not be on his list of official duties. But as House aide Andrew Noh demonstrated during the thick of “cromnibus” mania, sporting something snazzy is clearly a personal priority.

While many in the media trumpeted that the staffer to California Democrat Linda T. Sánchez had saved them from wasting away to nothing by sharing a much-needed stakeout snack, others marveled at the getup the knight in curiously patterned armor wore into the brilliantly executed PR stunt. Full story

December 9, 2014

A cadre of Turkish-American organizations are returning to Capitol Hill Thursday to campaign for their independence-seeking, European-bound brethren — and the group is bringing a host of regional delicacies to help sweeten the deal.

Turkish Cypriot Day on the Hill is scheduled to swoop into the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Assembly of Turkish American Associations is spearheading the annual reception. Full story

December 5, 2014

That would be the office of Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Okla., on the day before the annual “Bedlam” football game between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

Each year, Inhofe’s office snaps its annual “Bedlam” photo, which a staffer kindly forwarded to HOH on Friday. Judging from the incredible mixing of OU crimson and OSU orange splashed across T-shirts, pants, scarves and the like, it truly is fashion bedlam, as well as a demonstration that the boss doesn’t discriminate when it comes to university allegiances.

December 4, 2014

A who’s who of go-go royalty Thursday are planning to honor the late Marion Barry with a jam-packed show scheduled to keep Ibiza nightclub bumping late into the evening.

The “Mayor for Life” Tribute, set to take place from 7 to 11 p.m. in Northeast D.C., is anticipated to bring together a host of local talent who wanted to do their part to bid the iconic District leader farewell.

(Courtesy ForeverDC)

“Everybody wanted to do something for Marion,” an event organizer told HOH about the star-studded send-off that quickly came together following Barry’s passing in November. Full story

“Hope you’re enjoying the beautiful DC weather,” the faux pol relayed on a wet, overcast beginning to another lame-duck workweek.

The gray skies were not, however, expected to dampen the spirits of the Boehnerland faithful. A House leadership aide confirmed that staff would be celebrating as per usual: with a Thanksgiving-style luncheon.

And even though he didn’t make the bird this year (he’s cooked in the past), staff is expected to serenade him with his signature birthday song.

The faux pundit, who is expected to bury his conservative-leaning cable news persona next month in preparation for assuming hosting duties of CBS’s “Late Show,” set up the face-to-face fanning duel (starts at the 3-minute mark) by noting during the latest installment of the pol-baiting “Better Know a District” segment that the signature sports move originated at the Oakland Coliseum.

According to ESPN, the first recorded version of the stadium-wide salute took place on Oct. 15, 1981, during a playoff game between the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees.

So Lee’s district’s got that going for it. As well as a congresswoman who’s not afraid to rise and fall with the best of ’em.

The independent D.C bookstore no serious author — lawmakers included — can ignore and the socially conscious meeting place fostered by political activist Andy Shallal are coming together to help venerate the written word.

According to a joint statement, the partnership between literary haunt Politics & Prose and hospitality haven Busboys and Poets will take flight next month, with the debut of the newest B&P location in Brookland.

“Politics and Prose epitomizes the greatness and reach of independent bookstores, and we are thrilled that they will partner with us to continue in our tradition of offering multicultural books that represent the diversity of Washington DC,” Shallal touted in a release.

Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine, the husband and wife team behind P&P, are expected to take the lead on the forthcoming restaurant’s companion retail operation, and are scheduled to follow suit by putting their stamp on the bookselling component of the B&P slated to open in Takoma Park this January.

“We’re especially grateful to Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallal for suggesting this venture and for believing in the power of books to enliven, educate, and enrich our community,” Graham and Muscatine stated online.

P&P currently serves as a second home for lawmakers, past and present, with captivating stories to tell. Once the integration wraps in 2015 — P&P is scheduled to assume control of the pre-existing book nooks at the B&P outposts in Mount Vernon Triangle; Hyattsville, Md.; and Shirlington, Va. — Graham and Muscatine will have a half-dozen spaces at which to welcome wordsmiths with something to say.

According to The Washington Post, the nonprofit Teaching for Change will continue to operate the bookstore at the flagship Busboys and Poets and 14th and V streets NW.

“We see great synergy in this new initiative and believe that working with Busboys will enable P&P to make books and authors more available throughout the metro region,” Graham and Muscatine assured local readers.

October 31, 2014

Cheers to Matt Laslo for getting retiring Rep. James P. Moran to open up about how incensed pols used to settle their differences in #ThisTown.

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

During a recent sit-down with “Bills and Brews,” the Northern Virginia Democrat shared his take on what transpired after he and former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, R-Calif., got into it on the House floor.

Per Moran, fellow short-timer George Miller, D-Calif., and ex-Reps. David R. Obey, D-Wis., and Robert K. Dornan, R-Calif., all mixed it up in the ensuing scuffle.

Cunningham, who Moran said suffered a broken hand during the melee, remembered things much differently. “He sucker-punched me,” the then-lawmaker told the Los Angeles Times in late 1995.

No word on whether Cunningham fared any better in the prison yard during his time away.

Catch the whole harrowing tale — as well as Moran’s valedictory address on party politics and D.C. schools — here.

Singer, bandleader and newly minted author George Clinton is scheduled to crisscross Chocolate City over the next few days, starting with an under-the-radar trip to the Library of Congress.

As part of the ongoing celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act, various professional organizations — including members of the Library of Congress Chapter of Blacks in Government, the African American Cultural Association, the American Folklife Center at the LOC and the Music Division at the LOC — have invited the Godfather of Funk to chat about his book, “Brothers Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?” and decades-long musical career.

“Since this program is a sponsored by staff organizations, we have not advertised to the public. However, public wishing to attend the program will not be turned away,” LCBIG President Michele Chisholm assured HOH.

Dr. Funkenstein is expected on stage of the Coolidge Auditorium of the Thomas Jefferson Building from noon to 1 p.m. Per organizers, “House of Soul” host James Funk will interview him for a bit before bowing out so folks can line up for autographs. Full story

Per Sassy’s mom, her pint-sized pooch’s turn-ons include fashionable males (“Bonus points for this one, as he’s clearly well-groomed and knows how rock a stylish sweater!”) and romps in the park (who doesn’t?). Full story

“Mostly I like photographing wildlife. It’s a little more adventurous,” the Utah Republican told HOH about his penchant for sneaking shots of stunning creatures in their natural habitats.

The avid outdoorsman compared photo stalking with hunting — “I like hunting, but you can’t always get a permit or a tag. You can always have permission to go out and try to photograph an elk,” Chaffetz suggested — sans the bloodshed, of course. Full story